Heat Index To Top 100 In NoVA, DC; Temperatures Near 100 For 3 Days

VIRGINIA — Residents should brace for a heat wave over the next few days with temperatures near or feeling like 100.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Northern Virginia and other parts of the DC region Thursday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Forecasters expect heat index values of 105 degrees, a real-feel temperature estimate. High index values are typically the result of high temperatures combined with humidity.

Additional advisories are possible in the coming days. From Thursday to Saturday, temperatures close to 100 are expected.

For pets, the Virginia Department of Emergency Management recommends keeping animals hydrated and off the hot pavement.

Residents should also know the signs of heat-related illnesses like heat exhaustion, cramps, or heat stroke.

Heat stroke is considered a medical emergency justifying a 911 call or hospital visit. Signs of heat stroke are a throbbing headache, confusion, nausea, dizziness, body temperature above 103 degrees, hot, red, dry or damp skin, rapid and strong pulse, fainting, loss of consciousness. A person experiencing heat stroke should be moved to a cooler space, given cool clothes or bath, and not be given fluids.

Heat exhaustion is possible with symptoms of heavy sweating, weakness or tiredness, cool, pale and clammy skin, fast and weak pulse, muscle cramps, dizziness, nausea or vomiting, headache or fainting. A person experiencing heat exhaustion should be moved to a cooler environment, have clothing loosened, given cool and wet cloths, sips of water or a cool bath. Medical attention may be needed if symptoms worsen or last longer than an hour or if vomiting occurs.

Heat cramps can be the first sign of heat illness and could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke. Symptoms include heavy sweating as well as painful muscle cramps and spasms, typically in the legs and abdomen. To help someone with heat cramps, apply firm pressure on cramping muscles or lightly massage. The person should be given sips of water unless they feel sick.

Here is the upcoming forecast for DC from the National Weather Service:

Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 92. At night, mostly clear, with a low around 76.

Thursday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 99 and heat index values as high as 107. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 2 a.m. and mostly cloudy, with a low around 76.

Friday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms before 8 a.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. Mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly before 8 p.m. Partly cloudy, with a low around 77.

Saturday: A chance of showers and thunderstorms after 2 p.m. and mostly sunny and hot, with a high near 98. At night, a chance of showers and thunderstorms and partly cloudy with a low around 72.

Sunday: A chance of showers after 2 p.m. and mostly sunny, with a high near 86. At night, a chance of showers before 8 p.m. and mostly clear with a low around 66.